CA1236855A - Stabilized zirconia bodies of improved toughness - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure This invention is directed to the preparation of ZrO2 bodies partially stabilized through the inclusion of 0.5-10% Y2O3 with 1-10% of a secondary stabilizer selected from the group of MgO, CaO, CuO, ZnO, and CeO2. The method comprises sintering a shaped batch at 1600°-1800°C, quickly cooling the sintered shape to 1000°-1475°C, holding said shape within that temperature range to cause precipitation of tetragonal ZrO2 as islands within cubic ZrO2 grains, and then cooling to room temperature. The final product exhibits a microstructure consisting essentially of about 50-70% cubic ZrO2, greater than 20% and up to 50%
tetragonal ZrO2, and less than 10% monoclinic ZrO2.

Description

Guile 13 SO

STABILIZED ZIRCON BODIES OF IMPROVED TOUGHNESS

Background of the Invention Zircon demonstrates very high refractoriness but its use in bodies of any substantial bulk has been severely limited because of an extremely disruptive, reversible phase transformation which takes place in the vicinity of 1000-1100C; viz., the polymorphic conversion of the tetragonal crystal form to the monoclinic form. Hence, thermal cycling of ZrO2 bodies through the transformation range, about 900-1200C, commonly results in cracking and, not infrequently, the total disintegration thereof, because of the relatively large volume change which accompanies that conversion of crystal forms. Consequently, extensive investigations have been conducted to develop "alloys"
of Zr2 with another metal oxide, the most notable of such being Coo, Moo, and Yo-yo.
The initial research efforts sought to produce a stabilized cubic zircon (the high temperature ZrO2 structure) and the recited "alloying" oxides are especially effective in forming stable solid solutions with ZrO2 having the cubic fluorite structure. It was soon observed, however, that fully stabilized cubic Zr2 bodies are not particularly strong or resistant to thermal shock. Continued investigations have demonstrated that partially stabilized ZrO2 bodies can be both stronger and more thermal shock resistant than either unstabilized or completely stabilized ZrO2 ~6~5 articles. The following patents are illustrative of the considerable effort that has been expended in devising ZrO2 bodies manifesting high refractoriness coupled with high strength and good resistance to thermal shock.
U.S. Patent No. 3,365,317 was directed to the production of ZrO2 bodies illustrating the properties of lubricity, toughness, abrasion resistance, and chemical inertness, thereby recommending their utility as drawing die materials. The bodies consisted essentially, in weight percent, of 96.5-97.2% ZrO2 and

2.8-3.5% Moo, and exhibited coefficients of thermal expansion [room temperature RUT to 1400C] not greater than 73xlO /C, compressive strengths of at least 250,000 psi, and module of rupture of at least 27,000 psi. The bodies were sistered at temperatures of 2500-3500F (~1371-1927C) and the fired product contained tetragonal ZrO2 and cubic and/or monoclinic ZrO2. No quantitative measurement of the proportion of each crystal phase of ZrO2 present was provided, but the objective was to optimize the amounts of tetragonal and monoclinic ZrO2 in the bodies. It was emphasized that impact strength and abrasion resistance decreased with Moo levels greater than 3.5%.
U.S. Patent No. 3,620,781 was concerned with a method for producing bodies of ZrO2 which were partially stabilized through the inclusion of 2-5% by weight Coo. The bodies were characterized by high module of rupture and high Young's module. The micro structure of the bodies consisted essentially of cubic ZrO2 grains as the major phase by volume, inter granular primary monoclinic ZrO2 grains of substantially smaller average grain size than that of 1~36855 the cubic grains, and an extremely fine-grained precipitate of monoclinic ZrO2 dispersed intragranularly throughout the cubic grains. The precipitate had an average grain size much smaller (at least one order of magnitude) than the average grain size of the primary monoclinic ZrO2 grains, viz., about 0.1-2 microns in comparison to 10-20 microns.
The inventive method comprised firing the bodies at a temperature of at least 1800C and up to the melting temperature of the body, annealing the sistered body by holding it within the range of 900-1700~C for a substantial period of time (desirably for at least one day), and then cooling to ambient temperature. The annealing period produces the required precipitate which, in turn, imparts the enhanced strength and elastic modulus to the bodies.
U.S. Patent No. 3,634,113 described the production of cubic ZrO2 bodies stabilized with 6-20 mole percent of a type C mixed rare earth oxide solid solution containing Yb203, Err, DYE I 2 3 2 3 and Lowe. It was asserted that the final bodies were totally free from monoclinic ZrO2 and might consist solely of cubic ZrO2 or might contain a small quantity of tetragonal ZrO2 with the cubic polymorph.
U.S. Patent No. 3,887,387 claimed a method for preparing ZrO2 bodies by sistering a mixture of 30-90%
pulverulent monoclinic ZrO2, 7.8-69.5% pulverulent ZrO2 stabilized with at least one stabilizing oxide selected from the group of Moo, Coo, Coo, Noah, Coo Shea, and rare earth oxides, and 0.5-2.2% of at least one pulverulent stabilizing oxide of the group recited above. The total amount of stabilizing oxide ranged ~23~i855 between 2.5-3.5%. The final product was asserted to consist of 75-95~ cubic crystals.
U.S. Patent No. 4,035,191 disclosed means for producing articles of stabilized ZrO2 having micro structures containing less than 10% cubic ZrO2 and at least 5% tetragonal ZrO2 which do not destabilize at temperatures between 1650-2250F (~899-1232C). The bodies consisted essentially, in weight percent, of 0.1-5.0% Zoo, at least 0.5% of a primary stabilizer selected from the group of 0.25-4% Moo, 0.25-4% Yo-yo, and mixtures thereof, and the balance ZrO2. The bodies are sistered between about 2550-2950F
(~1399-1621C).
U.S. Patent No. 4,067,745 was drawn to a process for forming a partially stabilized ZrO2 body which consisted of firing, between 1700-195QC, a body consisting essentially of 3.3-4.7% by weight Coo and the remainder ZrO2, cooling the body at an average rate of at least Corey to a temperature between 1200-1450C, and aging the body for a period of time (typically about 64 hours within that latter temperature range. The micro structure of the fired body was stated to be composed of metastable tetragonal domains of critical size within cubic matrix grains.
It was asserted that the same controlled micro structure could be developed in MgO-stabilized ZrO2 bodies, but those products are stated to be subject to two problems:
(a) the reaction kinetics are so rapid that it is difficult to introduce quality control procedures into the manufacturing process; and (b) the MgO-ZrO2 compositions are subject to a eutectoid decomposition reaction below 1400C.

~36855i U.S. Patent No. 4,279,655 was directed to a method for preparing bodies of ZrO2 which are partially stabilized with Moo. The method claimed comprised the steps of:
(1) mixing and wet milling 2.8-4.0% by weight Moo, balance ZrO2, to a mean particle size of 0.7 micron, the ZrO2 containing no more than 0.03% Sue;
(2) calcining the powdered material at 800-1450DC for about 24 hours;

(3) wet milling the mixture to a mean particle size of 0.7 micron;

(4) molding the wet mixture into a desired shape;

(5) firing the shape at 1550-1800C;

(6) cooling the shape to a temperature between 800C and ambient temperature to induce nucleation, the rate of cooling being controlled so that a tetragonal Zr2 precipitate phase forms in the sistered material and coarsens to an elliptical precipitate having a major axis of about AYE;

(7) heating the body to an aging/transformation range of 1000-1400C;

(8) holding the body within that temperature range until 2-30~ of the tetragonal ZrO2 precipitate is transformed into monoclinic ZrO2 material; and

(9) cooling to room temperature.
The micro structure of the final body was described as being composed predominantly of relatively large cubic grains within which grains are elliptically-shaped precipitates of tetragonal ZrO2 having a long dimension of about AYE. The precipitate comprised 2-10% of the material. A grain boundary phase of monGclinic ZrO2 was also present constituting 8-15% of the material. Finally, a 1~36855 monoclinic phase, formed via the transformation of some of the tetragonal precipitate, was dispersed within each cubic ZrO2 grain; that monoclinic phase comprising about 0.5-20% of the material. The monoclinic grains were asserted to be untwined, in contrast to the twinning conventionally observed in those precipitates when they are transformed from the tetragonal state.
The aging step was posited as producing the untwined monoclinic crystals.
As can be observed from the above review of patent literature, recent research in the field of ZrO2 stabilization has been directed to the formation of partially stabilized ZrO2, the means for accomplishing that goal generally involving two mechanisms. The first has utilized compositional variations; e.g., the use of two or more stabilizing oxides rather than a single stabilizer. To illustrate, when a mixture of CaO+MgO was employed as the stabilizer, it was discovered that the rate of destabilization of ZrO2 above 1000C is slower than for either stabilizer alone. The second mechanism has commonly employed a single stabilizer, accompanied with a special heat treatment schedule.
This latter mechanism, which has been termed transformation toughening, has been studied extensively utilizing either Coo or Moo as the stabilizer. Moo has appeared to constitute the preferred stabilizer when using the fine intragranular precipitate approach to toughening. Nevertheless, as has been observed above, that method is very difficult to control. The aging time and the temperature in the cooling and reheating stops must be regulated with extreme care to induce the proper amount of stabilizer movement necessary to ~36855 produce the desired precipitate of tetragonal ZrO2 of the correct size within the grains of cubic ZrO2. That phenomenon takes place within a range of temperatures wherein the Moo tends to exsolve from the solid solution given sufficient time, leaving a two-phase structure of Moo and monoclinic ZrO2 at room temperature.
Summary of the Invention The principal objective of the present invention is to provide means for producing partially stabilized Zr2 which can be so controlled that bodies exhibiting very high strength, excellent toughness, and good thermal shock resistance can be readily reproduced.
The basic concept underlying the present invention is the use of Moo and/or Coo and/or Sue and/or Cut and/or Zoo with Yo-yo as stabilizers in the thermal toughening process. The use of such mixed stabilizers permits control of the kinetics of the precipitation reaction, thereby enabling tailoring of the properties of the final product.
Although the mechanism making possible the modification of the kinetics of the precipitation reaction has not been fully elucidated, two actions are believed to play important roles. Thus, Yo-yo is very stable in solid solution such that during the aging process it will remain substantially evenly distributed. At the same time, however, the secondary stabilizers diffuse to create under stabilized regions or zones which then become the precipitates of tetragonal ZrO2. Nevertheless, when the secondary stabilizers comprise only a portion of the total stabilizer present, a higher fraction thereof must migrate in order to achieve the necessary extent of 12368~5 under stabilization needed to form the precipitate.
This circumstance requires the body to be exposed for a longer period of time within the aging temperature range and, hence, reduces the sensitivity thereof to minor shifts in compositor and to the time and temperature parameters of the aging step. In essence, the precipitates of tetragonal ZrO2 form small islands within the cubic ZrO2 grains, those islands having dimensions of about 0.25-0.75 micron, with the preferred size being about 0.4 micron. Such very small-dimensioned precipitates are demanded to inhibit the transformation of the tetragonal ZrO2 to the monoclinic polymorph.
This approach permits the size of the precipitates to be regulated such that under the influence of relatively minor tensile stress they can readily transform to the monoclinic polymorph, thereby inhibiting the formation of areas of highly localized tensile stress and, as a result, imparting exceptional toughness to the bodies. Also, the precipitates can have dimensions slightly larger than that required for maximum toughness such that a small portion thereof will transform to monoclinic ZrO2 upon cooling. Those precipitates can then be readily converted back to the tetragonal phase when subjected to relatively small compressive stresses caused by either mechanical or thermal forces.
An apparent application for this approach is to form articles which will be used in the temperature range of about 1000-1400C where the typical partially stabilized zircon material utilizing a single stabilizing oxide, e.g., Moo or Coo, would continue to destabilize. In the present invention, the secondary ~L~36855 go stabilizing oxide, i.e., Moo and/or Coo and/or Sue and/or Cut and/or Zoo, left in solid solution after the aging step will exert only a minor effect upon dissociation, whereas the Yo-yo will remain and forestall the rapid destabilization experienced in partially stabilized Zr02 utilizing a single metal oxide stabilizer.
Thus the present invention provides in one embodiment a ceramic body exhibiting a modulus of rupture in excess of 50,000 psi and a toughness greater than 5 Mar m consisting essentially of ZrO2 partially stabilized through the presence of 0.5-10~ by weight YO-YO as the primary stabilizing oxide and 1-10% by weight total of at least one secondary stabilizing oxide selected from the group of Moo, Coo, Cut, Zoo, and Sue, said body consisting essentially of about 50-70% by volume cubic ZrO2, greater than 20~ and up to 50% by volume tetragonal ZrO2 present as islands within the cubic ZrO2 grains and having dimensions of about 0.25-0.75 micron, and lest than 10% by volume monoclinic ZrO2 present along the grain boundaries and having dimension of about 1-10 microns.
In another aspect the invention provides a method for making a ceramic body exhibiting a modulus of rupture in excess of 50,000 psi and a toughness greater than 5 MPalrm consisting essentially of Zr2 partially stabilized through the presence of YO-YO as the primary stabilizing oxide and at least one Secondary stabilizing oxide selected from the group of Moo, Tao, Cut, Zoo, and Sue which comprises the steps of:

368S~

-pa-(a) preparing a batch consisting essentially, in weight percent on the oxide basis, of 0.5-10~ YO-YO, 1-10~ total of at least one Myra of the group of Moo, Coo, Cut, Zoo, and Sue, and the remainder ZrO2;
(b) shaping said batch into a body of a predetermined configuration;
(c) firing said body at a temperature between about 1600-1800C for a period of time sufficient to produce an integral sistered body.
id) quickly cooling said sistered body to a temperature between about 1000-1475C;
(e) holding said body within that range of temperatures for a period of time sufficient to induce the precipitation of tetragonal ZrO2 as islands within cubic ZrO2 grains; and then (f) cooling said body to room temperature.
The inventive method may comprise the following six general steps:
if) a powdered batch is prepared containing Zr02, 20 Yo-yo, and at least one secondary stabilizer selected from the group of Moo, Coo, Sue, Cut, and Zoo (or materials which, when fired together, will yield the desired oxides in the proper proportions);
(2) the batch is shaped by pressing, extruding, 25 or other conventional means into a body of a predetermined configuration;
(3) the body is fired at a temperature between about 1600-1800C for a period of time sufficient to stinter the powder into an integral body and allow the solid solution of the stabilizing oxides into the ~36855 -9b-zircon (where desired, the body can be hot pressed, isostatically hot pressed, or otherwise shaped into a different geometry);
(4) the sistered body is cooled relatively quickly (Corey) to a temperature between about 1000-1475C;
(5) the_ body is held within that temperature range for a period of time sufficient to induce the desired precipitation of tetragonal ZrO2, but not so long as to cause excessive grain growth which, upon further cooling, would allow conversion of a substantial proportion of the tetragonal ZrO2 crystals ~3~i8~;~

to the monoclinic polymorph; such precipitation being achieved either by a controlled continuous cooling curve or by holding at a fixed temperature for a prescribed time; and then (6) the body is cooled to room temperature.
At least 0.5% Yo-yo by weight and, preferably at least I Yo-yo (or an amount of a yttrium-containing batch component required to yield the predetermined Yo-yo content) must be present as the primary stabilizer. At least 1% by weight and, preferably, at least 2% total of secondary stabilizer oxide (or an amount of a secondary stabilizer batch component needed to yield the prescribed content thereof) will be present. Whereas up to as much as 10% Yo-yo and up to

10% total of secondary stabilizer oxide may be utilized, such quantities are in excess of those required to induce the necessary precipitation and achieve the desired partial stabilization of ZrO2.
Thus, about 6% by weight each of primary and secondary stabilizer oxides has been deemed a practical maximum with less than 3% of each frequently proving to be very satisfactory.
In general, sistering of the batch will be conducted at a temperature and for only a period of time sufficient to insure the formation of solid, integral bodies. Temperatures between about 1600-1800C have proven to be quite satisfactory.
Extended firing periods at high temperatures hazard unwanted grain growth. That factor, coupled with economic reality, dictates that the sistering times be restricted to periods actually demanded to achieve an integral body. In general, firing periods of about 0.5-4 hours at a particular temperature have been used.

1~6855 Cooling of the hot sistered body to the aging temperature region is performed quickly to restrain the rapid diffusion of the secondary stabilizers and to inhibit grain growth. Thus, as has been explained above, it is only through the careful observance of time and temperature parameters within the aging temperature zone that the kinetics of the precipitation reaction can be controlled. Inasmuch as thermal shock is not a problem at these high temperatures, an essentially simultaneous reduction in temperature from the sistering range to the aging temperature region would be quite operable.
The aging temperature zone (about 1000-1475~C) comprises the region wherein the secondary stabilizing oxides will diffuse, but not migrate so rapidly that control thereof is rendered difficult. It will be appreciated that the several oxides will diffuse at different rates depending, at least in part, upon the size of the cation and the temperature employed.
Consequently, as would be expected, small cations commonly migrate more rapidly than large ions, and the speed with which diffusion takes place typically increases as the temperature is raised. However, care must be exercised to avoid excessive crystal growth of the precipitated tetragonal ZrO2. Likewise, care must be taken to avoid forming excessive monoclinic ZrO2 at the grain boundaries of 1-10 micron dimensions by holding within the aging temperature range too long.
Accordingly, a practical compromise must be struck between the desire to complete the aging process as soon as possible by utilizing relatively high temperatures, and the better control of the 1~368S5 precipitation reaction inherent with lower temperatures and consequent longer aging periods.
Laboratory experience has indicated that bodies manifesting the greatest toughness, coupled with high strength and high density, contain in excess of 20% by volume and, preferably, in excess of 25% by volume tetragonal ZrO2 with a maximum in the vicinity of 50~
by volume. Scanning electron microscope examinations have indicated that the average crystal size of the lo tetragonal ZrO2 is smaller than 0.5 micron. The near total absence of monoclinic ZrO2 would be preferred to maximize toughness However, scanning electron microscope and x-ray diffraction analyses have determined the monoclinic polymorph to be present in an amount less than lo volume, with the preferred products having less than 5% by volume, in order to yield bodies exhibiting the best combination of toughness, density, and mechanical strength. Finally, the content of cubic ZrO2 will range between about 50-70~ by volume.
In summary then, whereas an aging period of no more than about one hour at 1475C may provide the desired precipitated tetragonal polymorph of ZrO2 where Moo constitutes the secondary stabilizer, such a short time exposure is difficult to control and longer periods at lower temperatures are advantageously employed. Longer periods of aging at like temperatures will be demanded for cations larger than magnesium since the rate of migration of large cations is generally slower than that of smaller cations.
Accordingly, a minimum of about one hour in the aging temperature regime may be sufficient, whereas under certain conditions much longer periods, e.g., up to 24 1~36855 hours and even longer, may be required and/or advantageous to yield the desired degree of precipitation.
Whereas the above description implies the use of a specific dwell period within the aging region, it is frequently more economically attractive to utilize a slow cooling rate through the regime of temperatures to accomplish the same purpose. Accordingly, instead of maintaining the temperature constant at a defined level for a predetermined length of time, comparable aging may be achieved by cooling at a relatively slow and controlled rate, e.g., Corey, such that the body is exposed to the temperatures within the aging range for an equivalent period of time. In essence then, it is only necessary that the body be subjected to temperatures within the aging region for a sufficient period of time to permit the necessary diffusion of the secondary stabilizing oxide(s) with the consequent production of tetragonal ZrO2.
The rate of cooling from the cooler extreme of the aging temperature zone to room temperature does not appear to exert any substantive effect upon the properties of the final product. Hence, the bodies may simply be cooled in air or permitted to cool in whatever manner is conventional to the art for the product being formed.
As was noted above, Patent No. 4,279,655 teaches a method for preparing ZrO2 bodies which are partially stabilized through the inclusion of Moo, the method including an aging process as one step. Thus, a green shape is sistered at 1550-1800C, the sistered shape cooled below 800C, to induce nucleation, and then the shape is reheated to between 1000-1400C. The final 1~36&~55 product contains a substantial proportion of monoclinic ZrO2. In contrast, the present inventive method permits the production of material wherein the amount of monoclinic phase can be carefully controlled for varying application. For a combination of high toughness and high mechanical strength, the final product will have very little monoclinic ZrO2 therein.
Description of Preferred Embodiments Table I records batch compositions, expressed in terms of weight percent on the oxide basis, illustrating the parameters of the invention. In the following laboratory work, oxides of very high purity were utilized as the batch ingredients. Nevertheless, it will be appreciated that other materials, capable of conversion to the desired oxide in the proper proportions upon firing, may be employed.
The batch ingredients were milled together (using Zr2 balls in a urethane-lined container) in a water suspension also containing conventional organic binders and dispersants to yield a homogeneous batch wherein the particles were substantially all finer than 2 microns in size. The batches were then dried and granulated, conveniently via spray drying, to a moisture content of about 2% by weight. The granulated batches, having particles passing a No. 50 United States Standard Sieve (297 microns) where spray drying is utilized, and passing a No. 30 United States Standard Sieve (595 microns) where manual granulating is employed, were pressed into discs having diameters of about 1.5" and thicknesses of about 0.33", and those discs were fired at 1675C, 1725C, or 1750C for two hours in a gas-fired furnace. As is conventional in the ceramic art, low temperature portions of the 1~36855 heating schedule will be designed to permit the removal of water and organic binder in a manner such that the integrity of the body will not be adversely affected.
A two-hour firing period at 1675C, 1725C, or 1750C
insures sistering into a solid, integral body with the stabilizers in solid solution with the Zr02 without the development of excessive grain growth.
Table I

ZrO2 96.0 96.75 96.25 95.75 97.0 Moo 2.0 2.25 2.25 2.25 2.5 YO-YO 2.0 1.0 1.5 2.0 0.5 Zr2 96.5 96.0 96.75 96.25 Moo 2.5 2.5 2.75 2.75 YO-YO 1.0 1.5 0.5 1.0 Table II reports cooling schedules applied to the discs prepared from the compositions of Table I.
Table II
Schedule A
Stinter at 1725C for 2 hours Cool at Corey to 1400C
Cool at Corey to 1000C
Cool at furnace rate to RUT.
Schedule B
Stinter at 1725C for 2 hours Cool at Corey to 1400C
Cool at Corey to 1000C
Cool at furnace rate to RUT.

1~36855 Schedule C
-Stinter at 1725C for 2 hours Cool at Corey to 1400C
Cool at Corey to 1000C
cool at furnace rate to R. T.
Schedule D
Stinter at 1725C for 2 hours Cool at Corey to 1400C
Cool at Corey to 1000C
luckily at furnace rate to RUT.
Schedule E
Stinter at 1750C for 2 hours Cool at furnace rate to RUT.
Schedule F
Sinatra at 1675C for 2 hours Cool at Corey to 1200C
Cool at Corey to 1000C
Cool at furnace rate to RUT.
Cooling at furnace rate indicates the gas was simply cut off and the furnace allowed to cool down with the discs retained therein. Such cooling does not follow a strictly linear temperature path, being more rapid at higher temperatures than at lower temperatures, but averages somewhat above Corey.
tubule III records measurements of density (g/cm ), modulus of rupture (psi), toughness Pam and coefficient of thermal expansion over the range of 0-1200C (X10 /C) determined on the compositions of Table I after being exposed to the temperature schedules of Table II. Density was measured in the conventional manner utilizing a modification of the Wistful balance. Modulus of rupture and coefficient of thermal expansion were determined in the 1~3~l8755 conventional manner employing bars cut from the discs having dimensions of about 0.75" X 0.25" X 0.125".
Toughness was measured in the conventional manner using the short, chevron-notched beam technique with bars about 0.5" in length cut from the discs.
Table I I I
Example 1 Modulus Cool.
Density of Rupture Toughness Exp.
lo Schedule Aye 4955 2.3 Schedule B5.80 8379 3.3 Schedule C5.79 6302 8.5 Schedule D5.79 7173 6.1 Schedule Eye 9718 2.1 81.6 Schedule F5.79 1951 1.8 Example 2 Modulus Cool.
Density of Rupture Toughness Exp.
Schedule Aye 13382 3.9 Schedule B5.75 21488 5.5 Schedule C5.76 15828 9.3 Schedule D5.76 15750 5.9 Schedule Eye 17408 5.8 75.1 Schedule F5.74 7357 3.3 Example 3 Modulus Cool.
Density of Rupture Toughness Exp.
Schedule Aye 62944 7.6 Schedule B5.81 73167 11.1 Schedule C5.84 53502 4.9 Schedule D5.83 67232 5.6 Schedule Eye 71679 8.1 111.2 Schedule F5.82 8597 2.8 ~36~5S

Example 4 Modulus Cool.
Density of Rupture Toughness Exp.
Schedule Aye 51491 5.4 Schedule B5.82 63083 8.4 Schedule C5.81 65442 6.4 Schedule D5.80 45743 2.4 Schedule Eye 67604 5.6 111.6 Schedule F5.86 31492 4.4 lo Example 5 Modulus Cool.
Density of Rupture Toughness Exp.
Schedule Aye 13948 5.0 Schedule B5.65 15 Schedule C5.71 Schedule D 5.70 Schedule E 5.74 16867 4.7 37.4 Schedule F 5.77 Example 6 Modulus Cool.
Density of Rupture Toughness Exp.
Schedule A 5.80 65316 7.4 Schedule B 5.79 68581 16.9 Schedule C 5.81 67523 7.8 Schedule D5.81 69032 9.2 Schedule Eye 59563 7.6 110.2 Schedule F5.84 43908 5.6 6~5S

Example 7 Modulus Cool.
Density of Rupture Toughness Schedule A 5.82 51290 5.8 Schedule B 5.81 75398 9.5 Schedule C 5.81 78446 11.5 Schedule D 5.80 64878 7.5 Schedule E 5.81 69900 5.9 110.6 Schedule F 5.82 44729 4.6 Example 8 Modulus Cool.
Density of Rupture Toughness Exp.
Schedule A 5.81 58590 9.16 Schedule B 5.67 32844 4.7 Schedule C 5.75 58467 - -Schedule D 5.80 76764 14.8 Schedule E 5.81 61312 9.4 108 Schedule F 5.81 54776 6.5 Example 9 Modulus Cool.
Density of Rupture Toughness Exp.
Schedule A 5.76 59109 6.2 Schedule B 5.74 71133 15.5 Schedule C 5.75 62472 7.5 Schedule D 5.80 68200 8.2 Schedule E 5.77 50425 5.8 111.5 Schedule F 5.76 39837 4.0 As can be seen from the above, a wide variation in physical properties is possible not only with minor changes in composition, but also with variations in the aging process. This latter circumstance is of great practical significance since it permits careful tailoring of a broad range of those properties with 1;~36855 relative ease without reliance on critical composition control.
As can be observed from a study of Tables I and II, not all of the compositions demonstrated optimum physical properties utilizing the same aging schedule.
To illustrate, the highest toughness value for Example 6 was registered with Schedule B, whereas Schedule C
was best for Example 7 and Schedule D for Example 8.
That circumstance clearly demonstrates the interaction of chemistry, especially the level of Yo-yo and the ratio of Yo-yo with respect to the secondary stabilizers, with the aging cycle employed. Hence, for each level of Yo-yo and secondary stabilizer, there is a specific aging schedule which will yield the optimum amount and size of precipitate. The precipitates must not be too small or transformation toughening will not be produced, but they must not be too large such that they are transformed into the monoclinic phase.
To further illustrate that feature, the following several compositions (minor modifications of Example 6 which exhibited the highest toughness values) were prepared in like manner to the description above, fired at 1725C for 2 hours, and thereafter exposed to the recited aging schedules. Table IV reports those schedules and Table V records the individual compost-lions accompanied with values of density, modulus of rupture, and toughness measured on each after exposure to a particular aging schedule. In Table V the remainder of each composition consisted of ZrO2.

~3685S

Table IV
Schedule G
Cool at Corey to 1400C
Cool at Corey to 1000C
cool at furnace rate to RUT.
Schedule H
Cool at Corey to 1250C
Cool at Corey to 1000C
Cool at furnace rate to RUT.
Schedule I
Cool at Corey to 1550C
Cool at Corey to 1000C
Cool at furnace rate to RUT.
Schedule J
Cole at Corey to 1400C
Cool at Corey to 1000C
Cool at furnace rate to RUT.
Schedule Cool at Corey to 1400C
Cole at Corey to 1000C
Cool at furnace rate to RUT.
Schedule L
Cool at Corey to 1325C
Cool at Corey to 1000C
Cole at furnace rate to RUT.
Schedule M
Cool at Corey to 1325C
Cool at Corey to 1000C
Cool at furnace rate to RUT.
Schedule N

Cool at Corey to 1475C
Cool at Corey to 1000C
Cool at furnace rate to RUT.

~:3~355 Schedule O
Cool at Corey to 1475C
Cool at Corey to 1000C
Cool at furnace rate to R. T.

Table V
Example 10 (2.5% Moo, 0.8% YO-YO) Schedule Density M of Rough G 5.84 B502514.3 H 5.84 823358.4 I 5.68 519264.08 J 5.72 514135.3 X 5.84 722927.53 L 5.81 7779910.04 M 5.84 803847.52 N 5.84 8266911.24 O 5.60 507854.06 Example 11 (2.6~ Moo, 0.8% YO-YO) Schedule Density M of Rough G 5.84 8238711.2 H 5.83 800207.9 I 5.69 623564.07 J 5.72 553635.1 K 5.83 819166.95 L 5.81 839738.88 M 5.83 800887~25 N 5.82 900629.86 O 5.70 632173.99 1~32~55 Example 12 (2.7% Moo, 0.8% YO-YO) Schedule Density M of R Tough G 5.81 80811 9.8 H 5.80 60929 6.9 I 5.68 49120 4.38 J 5.69 43499 5.0 K 5.81 64580 6.32 L 5.81 71916 8.39 M 5.81 62826 6.56 N 5.80 73063 8.13 O 5.68 34098 4.01 Example 13 (2.3% Moo, 1.0% YO-YO) Schedule Density M of R Tough G 5.87 85509 14.2 H 5.85 80968 9.6 I 5.70 54618 4.06 J 5.75 20508 5.7 K 5.86 73013 8.11 L 5.86 17473 5.52 M 5.82 18471 5.59 N 5.81 24513 10.0 O 5.71 33581 5.62 ~i~36855 Example 14 (2.4% Moo, 1.0% YO-YO) Schedule Density M of R Tough G 5.85 81057 11.7 H 5.84 78749 7.8 I 5.70 53292 3.85 J 5.72 50171 4.8 K 5.85 69324 7.14 L 5.86 80951 9.4 M 5.85 77923 7.32 N 5.83 86207 9.86 Example 15 (2.5% Moo, 1.0% YO-YO) Schedule Density M of R Tough G 5.82 75693 8.5 H 5.81 55055 7.0 I 5.69 44072 J 5.67 42961 5.5 K 5.81 59878 6.3 L 5.82 66100 8.32 M 5.81 52803 6.56 N 5.81 71638 7.83 Example 16 (2.,6% Moo, 1.0% YO-YO) Schedule Density M of R Tough G 5.83 68035 8.6 H 5.82 62555 7.1 I 5.70 45831 J 5.69 45722 6.1 K 5.82 52383 6.6 L 5.83 71213 7.83 M 5.82 63128 6.56 N 5.81 74450 7.96 O 5.69 13767 4.52 Example 17 (2.7% Moo, 1.0% YO-YO) Schedule Density M of R Tough G 5.81 74872 8.4 H 5.81 55268 6.0 I 5.79 77936 J 5.65 41551 K 5.80 61504 5.23 L 5.83 61793 7.57 M 5.81 54394 5.81 N 5.80 64860 7.22 O 5.69 Example 18 (2.3% Moo, 1.2% YO-YO) Schedule Density M of R Tough G 5.85 79919 10.4 H 5.85 59367 7.2 I 5.71 44876 J 5.69 44591 5.7 K 5 86 69590 7.1 L 5.84 60185 8.27 M 5.85 53684 7.97 N 5.84 56899 8.6 O 5.74 49939 4.93 Example lo (2.4% Moo, 1.2% YO-YO) Schedule Density M of R Tough G 5.83 70614 9.1 H 5.84 67133 7.1 I 5.70 40357 J 5.71 41238 6.0 K 5.84 57801 6.55 L 5.85 67331 8.02 M 5.84 57767 7.56 N 5.83 61768 8.07 O 5.70 42912 4.68 Example 20 (2.5% Moo, 1.2% YO-YO) Schedule Density M of R Tough G 5.83 67879 8.5 H 5.83 67367 6.6 I 5.71 47975 J 5.79 66370 7.9 K 5.83 56204 5.97 L 5.84 69579 7.8 M 5.83 52239 6.64 N 5.82 66648 8.08 5.71 3G8S~

Example 21 (2.6% Moo, 1.2% Yo-yo) Schedule Density of R Tough G 5.82 75152 8.1 H 5.79 59718 6.0 I 5.79 75240 12.66 J 5.81 65527 16.9 K 5.81 57887 5.11 L 5.83 65032 7.26 M 5.81 53566 6.31 N 5.80 59772 6.6 5.68 - _ Example 22_(2.3% Moo, 1.4% Yo-yo) Schedule Density of R Tough G 5.83 58119 8.8 H 5.83 60887 7.0 I 5.72 34945 4.72 J 5.81 45906 7.8 K 5.84 50130 6.37 L 5.82 66844 8.03 M 5.84 52471 6.64 N 5.84 56365 7.27 O 5.74 47363 4.84 ~Z~36~355 Example 23 (2-.4% Moo, 1.4% YO-YO) Schedule Density M of Rough G 5.83 78938 8.1 5.83 63776 6.1 I 5.72 611175.65 J 5.82 8339815.5 K 5.83 593315.91 L 5.85 698347.25 M 5.84 617416.13 N 5.83 786727.86 O 5.83 8128316.08 It is readily apparent from the above Table V that not infrequently the aging heat treatment schedule yielding bodies of the highest mechanical strength will not result in imparting the highest toughness values.
Nevertheless, as can readily be observed, there is considerable flexibility in the aging process which enables a wide range of properties to be produced, and wherein the character of those properties can be reproduced in a controlled manner.
To illustrate the utility of employing more than one secondary stabilizing oxide, discs of Example 24, expressed below in terms of weight percent on the oxide basis, were prepared and fired for two hours at 1725~C
in like manner to Example 10-23, and thereafter subjected to the aging schedules reported in Table IV.
Also, like manner to Table V, Table VI records the composition of Example 24 along with values of density, modulus of rupture, and toughness measured after exposure to a particular aging sequence.

1 ~3~i855 Table VI

Example 24 (2.5% Moo, 0.5~ Zoo, 1.0% Yo-yo, 96% Zoo Schedule Density M of Rough G 5.85 85788 11.8 H 5.84 70960 8.1 I 5.70 40967 4.0 J 5.71 49825 5.0 K 5.85 75939 7.0 L 5.84 78739 9.3 M 5.85 77777 7.5 Table VI again illustrates the great variation in physical properties that can be produced via changes in heat treating schedules, thereby permitting, for example, the tailoring of toughness and modulus of rupture levels depending upon the particular application for which the product is designed.
Another series of materials was produced utilizing Sue as the secondary stabilizer. Sue also acts as a sistering aid which has a practical benefit in permitting lower firing temperatures to be employed.
Furthermore, Sue goes into solid solution with ZrO2 more readily at lower temperatures than Moo and Coo.
Table VI records batch compositions, expressed in terms of weight percent on the oxide basis, illustrating the utility of Sue as a secondary stabilizer oxide. In like manner to the exemplary compositions discussed above, oxides of very high purity were employed as the batch constituents in the following laboratory work, although other materials, ~;~3~i85~

capable of conversion to the desired oxide in the proper proportions upon firing, may be used.
Samples were prepared following the general description provided above for the previous examples.
Thus, the batch ingredients were milled together in a water suspension containing conventional organic binders and dispersants, the batches dried and granulated, samples pressed therefrom, and fired at 1600C for about 2 hours to stinter into solid, integral lo bodies.
Table VI

Zr2 91 89 85 83 Sue 6 6 8 10 Each of the sistered samples was then exposed to the following aging temperature schedule:
Cool at Corey to 1000C.
Cool at furnace rate to RUT.
Specimens of the proper geometry for measuring density, modulus of rupture, and coefficient of thermal expansion over the range of 0-1200C were cut from the samples as described above. Table VII reports such values determined on Examples 25-28.

85~

Table VII

Density (g/cm ) 5.99 5.96 5.93 5.84 Modulus of Rupture (Sue 9185058400 24750 Coefficient of Expansion 90.6 102.7 104.7 Toughness (Mar m) - I - -No attempt was made to optimize toughness values by varying the aging schedule. The effect of Sue and Yo-yo levels upon modulus of rupture is observedly significant, however.
Laboratory experience has shown that the diffusion of Moo can best be controlled. Therefore, Moo constitutes the preferred secondary stabilizing oxide.

Claims (10)

I CLAIM:

1. A ceramic body exhibiting a modulus of rupture in excess of 50,000 psi and a toughness greater than 5 MPa?m consisting essentially of ZrO2 partially stabilized through the presence of 0.5-10% by weight Y2O3 as the primary stabilizing oxide and 1-10% by weight total of at least one secondary stabilizing oxide selected from the group of MgO, CaO, CuO, ZnO, and CeO2, said body consisting essentially of about 50-70% by volume cubic ZrO2, greater than 20% and up to 50% by volume tetragonal ZrO2 present as islands within the cubic ZrO2 grains and having dimensions of about 0.25-0.75 micron, and less than 10% by volume monoclinic ZrO2 present along the grain boundaries and having dimensions of about 1-10 microns.

2. A ceramic body according to claim 1 containing less than 3% by weight Y2O3 and less than 3% total of said secondary stabilizing oxide.

3. A ceramic body according to claim 2 wherein MgO
constitutes said secondary stabilizing oxide.

4. A ceramic body according to claim 1 wherein said tetragonal ZrO2 islands have dimensions less than 0.5 micron.

5. A method for making a ceramic body exhibiting a modulus of rupture in excess of 50,000 psi and a toughness greater than 5 MPa?m consisting essentially of ZrO2 partially stabilized through the presence of Y2O3 as the primary stabilizing oxide and at least one secondary stabilizing oxide selected from the group of MgO, CaO, CuO, ZnO, and CeO2 which comprises the steps of:
(a) preparing a batch consisting essentially, in weight percent on the oxide basis, of 0.5-10% Y2O3, 1-10% total of at least one member of the group of MgO, CaO, CuO, ZnO, and CeO2, and the remainder ZrO2;
(b) shaping said batch into a body of a predetermined configuration;
(c) firing said body at a temperature between about 1600°-1800°C for a period of time sufficient to produce an integral sintered body.
(d) quickly cooling said sintered body to a temperature between about 1000°-1475°C;
(e) holding said body within that range of temperatures for a period of time sufficient to induce the precipitation of tetragonal ZrO2 as islands within cubic ZrO2 grains; and then (f) cooling said body to room temperature.

6. A method according to claim 5 containing less than 3% Y2O3 and less than 3% of said secondary stabilizing oxide.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein MgO
constitutes said secondary stabilizing oxide.

8. A method according to claim 5 wherein said body is fired at about 1650°-1775°C for about 0.5-4 hours.

9. A method according to claim 5 wherein said sintered body is cooled at a rate in excess of 100°C/hour to 1000°-1475°C.

10. A method according to claim 5 wherein said sintered body is held within or cooled at a controlled rate through the temperature range of about 1000°-1475°C for about 1-24 hours.